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The index is a market-capitalization-weighted total return index. It covers the largest and most liquid small-cap companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue from gold or silver mining, or have properties that do so. The composite includes companies based in the U.S. and other markets, including Australia, Canada and Singapore. As of Sept. 15, the index had average and median market capitalizations of $362.46 million and $294.74 million, respectively. The ETFs do not attempt to meet their investment goals for periods longer than one day. There is no guarantee that their objectives will be met.

2) Invesco PowerShares Lists China A-Share ETF

Invesco PowerShares Capital Management announced Thursday the launch of the PowerShares China A-Share Portfolio (CHNA). CHNA is an actively managed ETF that seeks long-term capital appreciation by providing exposure to the China A-shares market using a quantitative, rules-based investment strategy.

CHNA will invest primarily in the SGX FTSE China A50 index futures, as well as other instruments such as ETFs providing exposure to the largest companies within the China A-shares market, and A-shares to the extent permissible under Chinese law. CHNA will have a management fee of 0.50%.

3) New U.S. Bank Heritage IRA Simplifies Beneficiary Distributions

U.S. Bank Wealth Management announced recently that it had launched the U.S. Bank Heritage IRA, which combines an individual retirement account (IRA) and trust agreement into one instrument to help clients design a long-term, customized distribution plan for IRA beneficiaries. The Heritage IRA offers both the potential tax benefits of a traditional or Roth IRA and the control of a trust. It is available through The Private Client Reserve of U.S. Bank for high-net-worth clients, Ascent Private Capital Management of U.S. Bank for ultrahigh-net-worth clients, and The Private Client Group for affluent clients.

The Heritage IRA can be used by clients who wish to control — beyond death — who receives the benefit of their IRA assets and how they will receive them. Clients may use the instrument because they’re concerned about a beneficiary’s ability to manage money responsibly; to extend the benefits of an IRA over the lifetimes of their children and beyond; to provide for a current spouse as well as children from a previous marriage; or out of concern about how their IRA will be managed if they become incapacitated. The Heritage IRA is also helpful for Americans who have a non-U.S. spouse and want to qualify their IRA assets for the marital deduction.